Communication terminal, management system, communication system, and display method

ABSTRACT

A communication terminal for communicative connection to at least one other communication terminal via a network includes a receiving part configured to receive stroke data transmitted from the other communication terminal, an obtaining part configured to obtain name information that is associated with a transmission source of the stroke data under management by a management system on the network, and a display control part configured to perform control that displays an image based on the stroke data and an image based on the obtained name information in association with each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of InternationalApplication No. PCT/JP2016/067086, filed on Jun. 8, 2016, which claimspriority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-125402, filed on Jun.23, 2015. The contents of these applications are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The disclosures herein generally relate to a communication terminal, amanagement system, a communication system, and a display method.

2. Description of the Related Art

Communication systems that provide a telephone call, a video conference,and the like via a communication network such as the Internet or adedicated line have become prevalent in recent years due to a demand forreducing travel costs and time of parties. Such communication systemstransmit/receive content data when communication is initiated betweencommunication terminals. This makes communication between locationspossible. Moreover, in order to enable smooth communication betweenlocations, a method for sharing stroke data generated based on ahandwriting operation as content data between the locations has beenproposed.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal apparatus in whichlocation information such as an operator is stored in association withlocation identification information. When such a terminal apparatusreceives handwritten data from another terminal apparatus,identification information is attached to the handwritten data andlocation information associated with the location identificationinformation is obtained. This allows the received handwritten data to bedisplayed along with location information such as an operator.

However, in a case where communication is made with a communicationpartner whose name is not managed by a communication terminal, includingfor example, a first-time communication partner, the name of thecommunication partner cannot be displayed in association with strokedata when the stroke data is transmitted by the communication partner.Therefore, there is a problem with insufficient flexibility indisplaying location information.

RELATED ART DOCUMENT

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 5081088

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment, a communication terminal for communicativeconnection to at least one other communication terminal via a networkincludes a receiving part configured to receive stroke data transmittedfrom the other communication terminal, an obtaining part configured toobtain name information that is associated with a transmission source ofthe stroke data under management by a management system on the network,and a display control part configured to perform control that displaysan image based on the stroke data and an image based on the obtainedname information in association with each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a communication system of an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an external view of an interactive whiteboard of theembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the interactive whiteboardof the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of a management system or arelay apparatus of the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the interactive whiteboard, therelay apparatus, and the management system of the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing fortransmitting stroke data between the interactive whiteboards;

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example of a displayed image of theembodiment;

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example of a displayed image of avariation of the embodiment;

FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating an example of a displayed image ofanother variation of the embodiment;

FIG. 7D is a diagram illustrating an example of a displayed image ofanother variation of the embodiment;

FIG. 7E is a diagram illustrating an example of a displayed image of yetanother variation of the embodiment;

FIG. 7F is a diagram illustrating another example of a displayed imageof yet another variation of the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example of theprocessing for transmitting stroke data between the interactivewhiteboards;

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating yet another example of theprocessing for transmitting stroke data between the interactivewhiteboards;

FIG. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram of the management system ofthe embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example of theprocessing for transmitting stroke data between the interactivewhiteboards.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

<<General Arrangement of Embodiment>>

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a communication system of an embodiment ofthe present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a communication system1 includes interactive whiteboards (20 a, 20 b, and 20 c) (hereinafterreferred to as “IWBs”) as an example of a stroke sharing apparatus, arelay apparatus 30 configured to relay stroke data transmitted betweenthe IWBs (20 a, 20 b, and 20 c), and a management system 50 configuredto manage communication between the IWBs (20 a, 20 b, and 20 c).Hereinafter, an arbitrary IWB of the IWBs (20 a, 20 b, and 20 c) isrepresented as an IWB 20. The management system 50 is a computerprovided with a server function.

The communication system 1 allows strokes in which a character, afigure, a symbol, and the like are drawn to be shared between the IWBs(20 a, 20 b, and 20 c).

Moreover, the IWB 20, the relay apparatus 30, and the management system50 are communicatively connected to one another via a communicationnetwork such as the Internet, a mobile phone network, or a local areanetwork (LAN). A single IWB 20 is placed at the locations (A, B, and C),respectively. By using the IWB 20, a video conference between locationscan be performed. Also, FIG. 1 illustrates that a single IWB 20 isplaced at the locations (A, B, and C), respectively, but a plurality ofIWBs 20 may be placed at the locations (A, B, and C), respectively. Inaddition, communication terminals other than the IWDs 20 such as videoconference terminals, projectors, and digital signage devices may beplaced for communication with one another via the communication network2.

<<Hardware Configuration of Embodiment>>

Next, a hardware configuration of the present embodiment will bedescribed. FIG. 2 is an external view of the IWB 20 of the embodiment.As illustrated in FIG. 2, the IWB 20 includes a display 220, a stand240, and a device storage part 250. The display 220 includes a flatpanel such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display panel. Infront of a casing of the display 220, a display surface 222 for imagedisplays and a touch panel 224 are provided.

In an input apparatus 300, a signal transmitting apparatus is provided.When the nib of the input apparatus 300 comes into contact with thedisplay surface 222, the signal transmitting apparatus transmits awriting detection signal (contact detection signal), which is a radiosignal. When the writing detection signal transmitted by the inputapparatus is received by the IWB 20, the display 220 displayscharacters, figures, and the like written at a coordinate positiondetected by the touch panel 224. The device storage part 250 storesvarious devices such as a main body of the IWB 20, for example. Inaddition, on the top side of the device storage part 250, a keyboard 230is installed with which an input operation is performed.

Further, both the relay apparatus 30 and the management system 50 havethe same external appearance as that of a generic server computer.Therefore, descriptions of the external appearance of the relayapparatus 30 and the management system 50 will be omitted.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, a hardware configuration of the IWB 20 willbe described. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the IWB 20of the present embodiment. The IWB 20 of the present embodiment includesa central processing unit (CPU) 201 that controls the overall operationof the IWB 20, read-only memory (ROM) 202 that stores programs used todrive the CPU 201 such as an initial program loader (IPL), random-accessmemory (RAM) used as a work area for the CPU 201, flash memory 204 thatstores various types of programs and various types of data, asolid-state drive (SSD) 205 that controls reading/writing of variousdata from/to the flash memory 204 according to the control of the CPU201, a media drive 207 that controls reading/writing (storage) of datafrom/to a recording medium 206 such as flash memory, a power switch 209for turning on and off the power of the IWB 20, and a network interface(I/F) 211 for data transmission via the communication network 2.Further, the recording medium 206 is removable from the IWB 20. Also,non-volatile memory that reads or writes data according to the controlof the CPU 201 is not limited to the flash memory 204, and electricallyerasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM) and the like may be used.

For example, the display 220 includes a liquid crystal display and anorganic electroluminescence display for displaying images. Also, the IWB20 is provided with a signal receiving apparatus 225 that receives acontact detection signal transmitted from the input apparatus 300 andoutputs the contact detection signal to the touch panel 224. A touchpanel driver, which is a control circuit of the touch panel 224,recognizes an input operation based on the contact detection signaltransmitted from the input apparatus 300 and outputs stroke datacorresponding to the input operation performed on the input apparatus300. Once the input operation is recognized, the display 220 built inthe IWB 20 superimposes and outputs images based on stroke data outputby the touch panel driver or based on stroke data transmitted fromanother IWB 20 via the communication network 2.

Also, the IWB 20 includes a display I/F 217 for transmitting data outputto the display 220 or transmitting data input from the touch panel 224according to the control of the CPU 201, an external device connectionI/F 218 for connecting various external devices to the IWB 20, an alarmlamp 219 for notifying a user of an abnormality of each function of theIWB 20, and a bus line 210 such as an address bus and a data bus forelectrically connecting the above-described elements as illustrated inFIG. 3. External devices such as an external camera, an externalmicrophone, or an external speaker can be electrically connected to theexternal device connection I/F 218 via, for example, a universal serialbus (USB) cable. Also, the IWB 20 includes the keyboard 230. The IWB 20can receive an input based on an operation of the keyboard 230 by auser.

Further, the IWB 20 may be provided with a hardware configuration thatis not illustrated in FIG. 3, depending on the function. Moreover, apart of the hardware configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 is not requiredto be provided.

FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the management system 50of the embodiment. The management system 50 of the present embodimentincludes a CPU 501 that controls the overall operation of the managementsystem 50, ROM 502 that stores programs used to drive the CPU 501 suchas an IPL, RAM 503 used as a work area for the CPU 501, a hard disk (HD)504 that stores programs for the management system 50 or various typesof data, a hard disk drive (HDD) 505 that controls reading/writing ofvarious types of data from/to the HD 504 according to the control of theCPU 501, and a media drive 507 that controls reading/writing (storage)of data from/to a recording medium 506 such as flash memory. Themanagement system 50 of the present embodiment further includes adisplay 508 that displays various types of information such as a cursor,menus, windows, characters, or images, a network I/F 509 for datacommunication via the communication network 2, a keyboard 511 equippedwith a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numbers, varioustypes of instructions, and the like, a mouse 512 for, for example,selecting or executing various types of instructions, selecting anobject to be processed, and moving the cursor, a compact disc read-onlymemory (CD-ROM) drive 514 that controls reading/writing of various typesof data from/to a CD-ROM 513 serving as an example of a removablerecording medium, and a bus line 510 such as an address bus and a databus for electrically connecting the above-described elements asillustrated in FIG. 4.

The hardware configuration of the relay apparatus 30 is same as thehardware configuration of the management system 50, and thus adescription thereof will be omitted.

<<Functional Configuration of Embodiment>>

Next, a functional configuration of the present embodiment will bedescribed. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the IWB 20, the relayapparatus 30, and the management system 50 of the communication system 1of the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, the IWB 20, the relay apparatus30, and the management system 50 are connected to one another via thecommunication network 2 so as to enable data communication.

<Functional Configuration of IWB>

The IWB 20 of the present embodiment includes a transmitting/receivingunit 21, an operation input receiving unit 22, a display control unit23, and a storage/reading unit 29. Any of the elements illustrated inFIG. 3 is operated in response to an instruction from the CPU 201 inaccordance with a program loaded from the flash memory 204 into RAM 203.As a result, the functions of the above-described units are implemented.Also, the IWB 20 includes a storage unit 2000. The storage unit 2000 isconfigured with the ROM 202, the RAM 203, and the flash memory 204.

[Functional Configuration of IWB]

Next, each functional configuration of the IWB 20 will be described indetail.

The transmitting/receiving unit 21 is operated by an instruction fromthe CPU 201 and the network I/F 211. The transmitting/receiving unit 21transmits/receives various types of data (or information) to/from aterminal, each apparatus, a system, or the like of the othercommunication partner via the communication network 2.

The operation input receiving unit 22 is operated by an instruction ofthe CPU 201, the touch panel 224, the power switch 209, and the keyboard230. The operation input receiving unit 22 receives various types ofinputs and various types of selections made by the user.

The display control unit 23 is operated by an instruction of the CPU 201and the display I/F 217. The display control unit 23 controlstransmission of stroke data to the display 220.

The storage/reading unit 29 is operated by an instruction of the CPU 201and the SSD 205. The storage/reading unit 29 performs processing forstoring various types of data in the storage unit 2000. Alternatively,the storage/reading unit 29 performs processing for extracting thevarious types of data stored in the storage unit 2000.

[Functional Configuration of Relay Apparatus]

The relay apparatus 30 includes a transmitting/receiving unit 31 and astorage/reading unit 39. Any of the elements illustrated in FIG. 4 isoperated in response to an instruction from the CPU 501, in accordancewith a program for the relay apparatus 30 loaded from the HD 504 intothe RAM 503. As a result, the functions or parts of the respective unitsare implemented. Also the relay apparatus 30 includes a storage unit3000. The storage unit 3000 is configured with the HD 504.

[Functional Configuration of Relay Apparatus]

Next, each functional configuration of the relay apparatus 30 will bedescribed in detail.

The transmitting/receiving unit 31 of the present embodiment is operatedby an instruction from the CPU 501 and the network I/F 509. Thetransmitting/receiving unit 31 transmits/receives various types of data(or information) from/to a terminal, each apparatus, a system, or thelike of the other communication partner via the communication network 2.

The storage/reading unit 39 is operated by an instruction from the CPU501 and a HDD 505. The storage/reading unit 39 performs processing forstoring various types of data in the storage unit 3000. Alternatively,the storage/reading unit 39 performs processing for extracting thevarious types of data stored in the storage unit 3000.

<Functional Configuration of Management System>

The management system 50 includes a transmitting/receiving unit 51, asession control unit 58, and a storage/reading unit 59. Any of theelements illustrated in FIG. 4 is operated in response to an instructionfrom the CPU 501, in accordance with a program for the management systemloaded from the HD 504 into the RAM 503. As a result, the functions orparts of the respective units are implemented. Also, the managementsystem 50 includes a storage unit 5000 configured with the HD 504. Thestorage unit 5000 stores databases (DBs) that includes tables,respectively, which will be described later.

[Terminal Management Table]

The storage unit 5000 is provided with a terminal management DB 5002that includes a terminal management table. Table 1 is a conceptualdiagram illustrating the terminal management table. In the terminalmanagement table, a communication ID for identifying the IWB 20 of acommunication destination is managed in association with a locationname. Such a communication ID is not particularly limited and may be anyinformation capable of identifying the IWB of the communicationdestination. For example, communication IDs include information foridentifying an IWB 20, an account name of a user of an IWB 20, and thelike. In a case where the communication ID is an account name, theaccount name transmitted in response to a login request from an IWB 20to the management system 50 and identification information of the IWB20, from which the login is requested, may be managed in associationwith each other in the management system 50. In this way, the managementsystem 50 can identify the IWB 20 by using the account name.Hereinafter, the communication IDs of the IWBs (20 a, 20 b, and 20 c)will be described as being “02a, 02b, and 02c,” respectively. A locationname is name information such as a name of a place or a name of abusiness place, with which the user can identify the other communicationpartner. Location names in the terminal management table can be updatedby the management system 50 in response to a request from the IWB 20based on the user's operation input.

TABLE 1 COMMUNI- LOCATION CATION ID NAME 02a TOKYO 02b OSAKA 02c NEWYORK . . . . . .

[Functional Configuration of Management System]

Next, each functional configuration of the management system 50 will bedescribed in detail.

The transmitting/receiving unit 51 of the present embodiment is operatedby an instruction from the CPU 501 and the network I/F 509. Thetransmitting/receiving unit 51 transmits/receives various types of data(or information) to/from respective terminals, apparatuses, and systemsvia the communication network 2.

The session control unit 58 is operated by an instruction from the CPU501. The session control unit 58 controls sessions for transmittingstroke data between IWBs 20. The above-described control includescontrol for establishing a session, control for causing an IWB 20 toparticipate in the established session, and control for disconnectingthe session.

The storage/reading unit 59 is operated by an instruction from the CPU501 and the HDD 505. Alternatively, the storage/reading unit 59 isoperated by an instruction from the CPU 501. The storage/reading unit 59performs processing for storing various types of data in the storageunit 5000, or performs processing for extracting the various types ofdata stored in the storage unit 5000.

<<Processing or Operations of Embodiment>>

Next, processing or operations of the IWB 20, the relay apparatus 30,and the management system 50 of the communication system 1 will bedescribed.

The management system 50 establishes a session for transmitting strokedata via the relay apparatus 30 between the IWBs (20 a, 20 b, and 20 c)according to the control of the session control unit 58. Hereinafter,the processing for transmitting stroke data between the IWBs 20 afterthe session is established will be described. FIG. 6 is a sequencediagram illustrating the processing for transmitting stroke data betweenthe IWB 20.

When a user of the IWB 20 a brings the nib of the input apparatus 300into contact with the input apparatus 300, the input apparatus 300transmits a contact detection signal. When the contact detection signalis received by the signal receiving apparatus 225, the touch panel 224serving as the operation input receiving unit 22 detects coordinates ofthe contact position and receives an operation input of a stroke (stepS101).

The operation input receiving unit 22 that has received the operationinput of the stroke generates stroke data indicating the stroke enteredand also generates position information indicating the position of thestroke on the display surface 222 (step S102). The position informationis not particularly limited, and may be coordinates of a starting pointand coordinates of an ending point of the stroke. Alternatively, whenthe stroke is assumed to be an object, the position information may becoordinates of an upper edge, a lower edge, a right edge, a left edge,or a center point of the object.

The transmitting/receiving unit 21 transmits the stroke data and theposition information generated in step S102 and also transmits thecommunication ID of the IWB 20 a, which is of the same terminal, to therelay apparatus 30 (step S106). Because the session between the IWB 20 aand the relay apparatus 30 has already been established, as long as therelay apparatus 30 can identify the transmission source of the strokedata without receiving the communication ID, the IWB 20 a is notrequired to transmit the communication ID in step S106.

Further, the transmitting/receiving unit 21 of the IWB 20 of anembodiment may at any time transmit, to the relay apparatus 30, thestroke data generated before the operation input is completed in stepS101, that is, while the operation input receiving unit 22 is receivingthe operation input. In this case, the location name can be displayed onthe display surface 222 at a point at which the user starts the input(starts the writing). This enhances usability.

The transmitting/receiving unit 21 of the IWB 20 of another embodimentmay transmit the stroke data to the relay apparatus 30 after theoperation input is completed in step S101. In this case, the positioninformation about the completed stroke can be transmitted to the relayapparatus 30. Therefore, in the later processing, it is possible toavoid the entire display of the stroke from overlapping with the displayof the location name on the display surface 222. This enhanceslegibility of the stroke or the location name.

The storage/reading unit 39 of the relay apparatus 30 generates an imagemanagement table in which the communication ID, the stroke data, and theposition information received are associated with one another, and thestorage/reading unit 39 of the relay apparatus 30 stores the imagemanagement table in the storage unit 3000 (step S108). Table 2 is aconceptual diagram illustrating the image management table generated bythe relay apparatus 30. Also, the storage/reading unit 39 may recordidentification information (ID) of stroke data or a file name of strokedata in the stroke data field of the image management table, and maystore the corresponding stroke data in any other storage space of thestorage unit 3000.

TABLE 2 COMMUNI- STROKE POSITION CATION ID DATA INFORMATION 02a STROKE(100, 100) DATA 1 . . . . . . . . .

The transmitting/receiving unit 31 of the relay apparatus 30 transmitsthe stroke data, the position information, and the communication IDtransmitted from the IWB 20 a, and requests the management system 50 fora location name of the IWB 20 a (step S110).

In the management system 50 that has received the request for thelocation name, the storage/reading unit 59 searches the terminalmanagement table (see Table 1) with the communication ID included in therequest for the location name as a search key, and reads the locationname corresponding to the communication ID (step S112).

The storage/reading unit 59 generates an image management table in whichthe communication ID, the stroke data, and the position informationincluded in the request for the location name and the location name readin step S112 are associated with one another, and the storage/readingunit 59 stores the image management table in the storage unit 5000 (stepS114). Table 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the image managementtable generated by the management system 50. The storage/reading unit 59may record identification information (ID) of stroke data or a file nameof stroke data in the stroke data field of the image management table,and may store the corresponding stroke data in any other storage spaceof the storage unit 5000.

TABLE 3 COMMUNI- STROKE POSITION LOCATION CATION ID DATA INFORMATIONNAME 02a STROKE (100, 100) TOKYO DATA 1 . . . . . . . . . . . .

As a response to the request for the location name, thetransmitting/receiving unit 51 of the management system 50 transmits thecommunication ID of the IWB 20 a and the location name read in step S112to the relay apparatus 30, which is the source of the request (stepS116).

In the relay apparatus 30 that has received the response, thetransmitting/receiving unit 31 transmits the stroke data, the positioninformation, and the communication ID transmitted from the IWB 20 a andalso the location name included in the response to the respective IWBs(20 a, 20 b, and 20 c) participating in the session for transmitting thestroke data (steps S118-1, S118-2, and S118-3). The respective displaycontrol units 23 of the IWBs (20 a, 20 b, and 20 c) perform control thatdisplays an image on the display 220 based on the stroke data, theposition information, and the location name transmitted from the relayapparatus 30 (steps S120-1, S120-2, and S120-3). In this case, thedisplay control unit 23 performs control that displays the stroke basedon the stroke data at a position on the display surface 222 indicated bythe position information. Also, the display control unit 23 performscontrol that displays the location name at a position on the displaysurface 222 corresponding to the above-described position information.For example, a position corresponding to position information includes aposition of coordinate values that are calculated by adding orsubtracting a given value to or from the coordinate values indicated bythe position information or by multiplying or dividing a given value bythe coordinate values indicated by the position information.Accordingly, the location name is displayed near the stroke.

The processing performed when the input of the stroke is received by theIWB 20 a has been described above. When the IWB 20 b receives an inputof a stroke, the same processing as that of the IWB 20 a is performed,except that the description of the IWBs (20 a, 20 b, and 20 c) ischanged to the IWBs (20 b, 20 c, and 20 a). Therefore, a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted. Similarly, when the IWB 20 creceives an input of a stroke, the same processing as that of the IWB 20a is performed, except that the description of the IWBs (20 a, 20 b, and20 c) is changed to the IWBs (20 c, 20 a, and 20 b). Therefore, adetailed description thereof will be omitted.

The processing of the above-described steps S101 through S120-1, S120-2,and S120-3 is performed each time a stroke is input into the IWBs (20 a,20 b, and 20 c). Such a series of processing allows the respective IWBs(20 a, 20 b, and 20 c) to display a location name in association withthe stroke input into the IWB 20. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating anexample of the display of the IWB 20.

First Variation of Embodiment

Next, a first variation of the embodiment will be described.

By referring to FIG. 8, differences between the first variation of theembodiment and the above-described embodiment will be described. FIG. 8is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing for transmittingstroke data between the IWBs 20. In the first variation, the storageunit 5000 of the management system 50 is provided with the terminalmanagement DB 5002 that includes a terminal management table illustratedin Table 4. Table 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the terminalmanagement table. The terminal management table manages communicationIDs identifying IWBs 20, location names, and sign information indicatingsigns for users in association with one another. The signs are notparticularly limited, and include symbols, ciphers, and names. The signinformation is not particularly limited, and may be stroke data, textdata, or image data.

TABLE 4 COMMUNI- LOCATION SIGN CATION ID NAME INFORMATION 02a TOKYO ⋆02b OSAKA Δ 02c NEW YORK * . . . . . . . . .

FIG. 7B is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the display.When the operation input receiving unit 22 receives an operation inputof a stroke, the display control unit displays a pop-up screen 222 a ona part of the display surface 222, requesting a user to input a sign.Accordingly, the operation input receiving unit 22 receives the input ofthe sign (step S103A). When the sign is input, the operation inputreceiving unit generates sign information indicating the input sign(step S104A).

The transmitting/receiving unit 21 of the IWB 20 a transmits, togetherwith the stroke data and the position information generated in stepS102, in addition to the communication ID of the terminal, the signinformation generated in step S104A to the relay apparatus 30 (stepS106A).

The transmitting/receiving unit 31 of the relay apparatus 30 transmits,to the management system 50, the stroke data, the position information,the communication ID, and the sign information transmitted from the IWB20 a, and requests the management system 50 for a location name (stepS110A).

The session control unit 58 of the management system 50 determineswhether the sign information included in the request for the locationname matches sign information managed in the terminal management table(see Table 4) in association with the communication ID included in therequest for the location name (step S115A). In this case, the sessioncontrol unit 58 may calculate the matching rate of the two pieces ofsign information. The session control unit 58 may determine that the twosigns match when the matching rate exceeds a predetermined threshold,and may determine that the two signs do not match when the matching rateis equal to or less than the predetermined threshold. In step S115A,when the two signs are determined to match, the transmitting/receivingunit 51 transmits a response that includes the location name read instep S112 to the relay apparatus 30 (step S116). In step S115A, when thetwo signs are determined not to match, the transmitting/receiving unit51 transmits a response that does not include the location name to therelay apparatus 30 (step S117A).

The transmitting/receiving unit 31 of the relay apparatus 30 transmits,to the IWBs (20 a, 20 b, and 20 c), the stroke data, the positioninformation, and the communication ID transmitted from the IWB 20 a(steps S118A-1, S118A-2, and S118A-3). When the location name isincluded in the response transmitted from the management system 50, thetransmitting/receiving unit 31 of the relay apparatus transmits thelocation name included in the response, together with theabove-described stroke data, the position information, and thecommunication ID.

The respective display control units 23 of the IWBs (20 a, 20 b, and 20c) perform control that displays a stroke based on the stroke data andthe position information transmitted from the relay apparatus 30 (stepsS120A-1, S120A-2, and S120A-3). When the location name is transmittedtogether with the stroke data and the position information from therelay apparatus 30, the display control unit 23 performs control thatdisplays the location name at a position corresponding to the positioninformation. Accordingly, the location name associated with the strokecan be displayed only when an authorized user inputs a sign.

Second Variation of Embodiment

Next, a second variation of the embodiment will be described.

By referring to FIG. 9, differences between the second variation of theembodiment and the above-described embodiment will be described. FIG. 9is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing for transmittingstroke data between the IWBs.

FIG. 7C is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the display.When the operation input receiving unit 22 receives an operation inputof a stroke, the display control unit displays a pop-up screen 222 b ona part of the display surface 222, requesting a user to input a name asan example of signs described in the first variation. As a result, theoperation input receiving unit 22 receives the input of the name (stepS103B). When the name is input, the operation input receiving unit 22generates sign information indicating the input name (step S104B).

The transmitting/receiving unit 21 of the IWB 20 a transmits, togetherwith the stroke data and the position information generated in stepS102, in addition to the communication ID of the terminal, the signinformation generated in step S104B to the relay apparatus 30 (stepS106B).

The transmitting/receiving unit 31 of the relay apparatus 30 transmits,to the management system 50, the stroke data, the position information,the communication ID, and the sign information transmitted from the IWB20 a, and requests the management system 50 for a location name (stepS110B).

The session control unit 58 of the management system 50 determineswhether the sign information included in the request for the locationname matches sign information managed in the terminal management tablein association with the communication ID included in the request for thelocation name (step S115B).

In step S115B, when the sign information transmitted via the relayapparatus 30 from the IWB 20 a is determined to match the signinformation managed in the terminal management table, thetransmitting/receiving unit 51 transmits a response that includes thelocation name read in step S112 and also includes the sign informationtransmitted from the IWB 20 a to the relay apparatus 30 (step S116B). Instep S115B, when the two pieces of sign information are determined notto match, the transmitting/receiving unit 51 transmits a response thatdoes not include either the location name or sign information to therelay apparatus 30 (step S117B).

The transmitting/receiving unit 31 of the relay apparatus 30 transmits,to the IWBs (20 a, 20 b, and 20 c), the stroke data, the positioninformation, and the communication ID transmitted from the IWB 20 a(steps S118B-1, S118B-2, and S118B-3).

When the location name and sign information are included in the responsetransmitted from the management system 50, the transmitting/receivingunit of the relay apparatus 30 transmits the location name and the signinformation included in the response, together with the above-describedstroke data, the position information, and the communication ID.

The respective display control units 23 of the IWBs (20 a, 20 b, and 20c) perform control that displays a stroke based on the stroke data andthe position information transmitted from the relay apparatus 30 (stepsS120B-1, S120B-2, and S120B-3). When the location name and the signinformation are transmitted together with the stroke data and theposition information from the relay apparatus 30, the display controlunit 23 performs control that displays the location name and the signinformation, namely a name, at a position corresponding to the positioninformation. FIG. 7D is a diagram illustrating an example of the display220 of the second variation. According to the second variation, the nameinput by an authorized user can be displayed in association with thestroke.

Third Variation of Embodiment

Next, a third variation of the embodiment will be described.

By referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, differences between the thirdvariation of the embodiment and the above-described embodiment will bedescribed. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of the managementsystem 50 according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagramillustrating the processing for transmitting stroke data between theIWBs 20.

The storage unit 5000 of the management system 50 is provided with auser management DB 5011 that includes a user management table. Table 5is a conceptual diagram illustrating the user management table. In theuser management table, user IDs of IWB users, address information ofusers, and user information that identifies users and that can be outputfrom the IWB 20 are managed in association with one another. The userinformation includes text information such as user names or imageinformation such as icons and thumbnails. In the user management table,names of text information files and image information files are alsomanaged. The files identified by file names may be stored in a differentstorage space from the user management table of the storage unit 5000.Information managed in the user management table can be updated by thestorage/reading unit 59 of the management system 50 in response to arequest from the IWB 20 based on the user operation.

TABLE 5 ADDRESS USER USER ID INFORMATION INFORMATION aa aa@ex.com Tarohab ab@ex.com Jiroh.ico ac ac@ex.com Sabroh.bmp ba ba@ex.com Hanako.jpgca ca@ex.com Jim.ico . . . . . . . . .

FIG. 7E is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the display.When the operation input receiving unit 22 of the IWB 20 a receives astroke input, the display control unit 23 displays a pop-up screen 222 con a part of the display surface 222. On the pop-up screen 222 c aselection of an address is received. Address selections includerespective addresses of a plurality of users of the IWB 20 a. Suchaddresses are preliminarily stored in the storage unit 2000.Accordingly, the operation input receiving unit 22 receives theselection of the user's own address (step S105C).

The transmitting/receiving unit 21 of the IWB 20 a transmits, togetherwith the stroke data and the position information, in addition to thecommunication ID of the terminal, address information indicating theaddress selected in step S105C to the relay apparatus 30 (step S106C).

The storage/reading unit 39 of the relay apparatus 30 generates an imagemanagement table in which the communication ID, the stroke data, theposition information, and the address information transmitted from theIWB 20 a are associated with one another, and stores the imagemanagement table in the storage unit 3000 (step S108C). Table 6 is aconceptual diagram illustrating the image management table generated instep S108C.

TABLE 6 COMMUNI- STROKE POSITION ADDRESS CATION ID DATA INFORMATIONINFORMATION 02a STROKE (100, 100) aa@ex.com DATA 1 . . . . . . . . . . ..

The transmitting/receiving unit 31 of the relay apparatus 30 transmits,to the management system 50, the stroke data, the position information,the communication ID, and the address information transmitted from theIWB 20 a, and requests the management system 50 for a location name(step S110C). In the management system 50 that has received the requestfor the location name, the storage/reading unit 59 searches the usermanagement table (see Table 5) with the address information included inthe request for the location name as a search key, and reads the userinformation corresponding to the search key (step S113C).

The storage/reading unit 59 generates an image management table in whichthe communication ID, the stroke data, the position information, and theaddress information included in the request for the location name, andthe location name and the user information read in the respective steps(S112 and S113C) are associated with one another, and stores the imagemanagement table in the storage unit 5000 (step S114C). Table 7 is aconceptual diagram illustrating the image management table generated instep S114C.

TABLE 7 COMMUNI- STROKE POSITION ADDRESS LOCATION USER CATION ID DATAINFORMATION INFORMATION NAME INFORMATION 02a STROKE (100, 100) aa@ex.comTOKYO Taroh DATA 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

As a response to the request for the location name, thetransmitting/receiving unit 51 of the management system 50 transmits thecommunication ID of the IWB 20 a and the location name and the userinformation read in the respective steps (S112 and S113C) to the relayapparatus 30, which is the source of the request (step S116C).

In the relay apparatus 30 that has received the response, thetransmitting/receiving unit 31 transmits the stroke data, the positioninformation, and the communication ID transmitted from the IWB 20 a andalso transmits the location name and the user information included inthe response to the respective IWBs (20 a, 20 b, and 20 c) participatingin the session for transmitting the stroke data (steps S118C-1, S118C-2,and S118C-3).

The respective display control units 23 of the IWBs (20 a, 20 b, and 20c) perform control that displays a stroke based on the stroke data andthe position information transmitted from the relay apparatus 30 (stepsS120C-1, S120C-2, and S120C-3). Also, the respective display controlunits 23 perform control that displays the location name at a positionon the display surface 222 indicated by the position information.Further, the respective display control units 23 perform control thatdisplays an image based on the user information at a position on thedisplay surface 222 corresponding to the position information.Accordingly, the image based on the location name and the userinformation is displayed near the stroke. FIG. 7F is a diagramillustrating an example of the display of the third variation. Accordingto the third variation, the user information such as texts, icons, andthumbnails associated with strokes can be displayed.

<<Main Effects of Embodiment>>

Next, main effects of the above-described embodiment will be described.An IWB 20 (an example of a communication terminal) is communicativelyconnected to at least one other IWB 20 via the communication network 2.The transmitting/receiving unit 21 (an example of a transmitting part)of the IWB 20 receives stroke data transmitted from the at least oneother IWB 20. Also, the transmitting/receiving unit 21 (an example of anobtaining part) of the IWB 20 obtains a location name (an example ofname information) that is associated with a communication ID of theother IWB 20, which is the transmission source of the stroke data, undermanagement by the management system 50 on the communication network 2.The display control unit 23 (an example of a display control part) isconfigured to perform control that displays a stroke (an example of animage) based on the stroke data and the location name (an example of animage based on the name information) in association with each other.Accordingly, even without a name of a communication partner beingmanaged by the IWB 20, it is possible to display the name in associationwith the stroke of the stroke data transmitted from the communicationpartner.

The operation input receiving unit 22 (an example of an operation inputreceiving part) of the IWB 20 receives an operation input by a user. Thetransmitting/receiving unit 21 (an example of a transmitting part) ofthe IWB 20 transmits the stroke data based on the above-describedoperation input to the at least one other IWB 20 via the relay apparatus30. The transmitting/receiving unit 21 can transmit the stroke datawhile the operation input is being received. In this case, the locationname can be displayed on the display surface 222 on the othercommunication partner side at a point at which the user starts the input(starts the writing). This enhances usability.

The transmitting/receiving unit 21 may transmit the stroke informationafter the operation input of the stroke is completed. In this case, thecompleted stroke can be transmitted to the relay apparatus 30.Therefore, in the later processing, it is possible to avoid the entiredisplay of the stroke from overlapping with the display of the locationname on the display surface 222. This enhances legibility of the strokeor the location name.

For respective communication IDs of IWBs 20, which are transmissionsources of stroke data, the terminal management DB 5002 provided in thestorage unit 5000 (an example of a managing part) of the managementsystem 50 manages location names (an example of the name information) inassociation with the respective communication IDs. When the stroke datais transmitted to the above-described IWB 20 from another IWB 20, thestorage/reading unit 59 (an example of an extracting part) reads(extracts) name information associated with the communication ID of theother IWB 20 from the terminal management DB 5002. Thetransmitting/receiving unit 51 (an example of a transmitting part) ofthe management system 50 transmits the extracted location name to theIWB 20. Accordingly, the above-described IWB 20 can obtain the locationname of the transmission source of the stroke data.

For respective communication IDs of IWBs 20, which are transmissionsources of stroke data, the terminal management DB 5002 manages signinformation (first sign information) indicating signs of users inassociation with the respective communication IDs. When sign information(second sign information) is transmitted together with stroke data fromanother IWB 20, the session control unit 58 (an example of a determiningpart) determines whether the sign information transmitted from the otherIWB 20 matches sign information managed in the terminal management DB5002 in association with the communication ID of the other IWB 20.

When the session control unit 58 determines that the two pieces of signinformation match, the transmitting/receiving unit 51 (an example of thetransmitting part) of the management system 50 transmits the locationname read by the storage/reading unit 59 to the IWB 20. Accordingly, thelocation name can be displayed on the IWB 20 when an authorized userinputs a stroke.

For respective pieces of address information of transmission sources ofstroke data, the user management DB 5011 provided in the storage unit5000 of the management system 50 manages user information (an example ofuser information) in association with the respective pieces of addressinformation. When the address information is transmitted from anotherIWB 20, the storage/reading unit 59 of the management system 50 reads(extracts) user information associated with the address informationtransmitted from the other IWB 20 from the user management DB 5011. Thetransmitting/receiving unit 51 transmits the extracted user informationto the IWB 20. Accordingly, in addition to the location name of thetransmission source of the stroke data, the above-described IWB 20 canalso obtain the user information of the user who is using the other IWB20.

<<Supplement to Embodiment>>

Each program for the IWB 20 and the management system 50 may be recordedin a computer-readable recording medium (such as the recording medium206) in an installable form or in an executable form, and may bedistributed. Also, other examples of the above-described recordingmedium include Compact Disc-Recordable (CD-R), a digital versatile disc(DVD), and a Blu-ray disc. Further, the above-described recording mediumor the HD 504 storing these programs may be provided as a programproduct domestically or abroad.

Moreover, the IWB 20 and the management system 50 according to theabove-described embodiment may be implemented by a single apparatus ormay be implemented by a plurality of apparatuses to which dividedrespective units (functions and parts) are assigned on a selectablebasis.

Further, although the IWB 20 has been described above as an example ofan image sharing apparatus, the present invention is not limitedthereto. For example, the image sharing apparatus may be an electronicblackboard, a personal computer (PC) equipped with an image sharingfunction, and the like.

Further, although the conference making use of the image sharingapparatus (generic concept) such as the IWB 20 (specific concept) hasbeen described above as an example, the present invention is not limitedthereto. The present invention includes an application of theabove-described embodiment in a field of communication as a widerconcept including a video conference. For example, the above-describedembodiment can be applied in a case where stroke data of an image outputfrom a plurality of communication terminals is transmitted between aplurality of communication terminals of a projector system, digitalsignage, a text sharing system, a car navigation system, a communicationsystem for gaming machines, and the like.

According to at least one embodiment, names of other communicationpartners can be flexibly displayed in association with strokes.

Further, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, butvarious variations and modifications may be made without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication terminal for communicativeconnection to at least one other communication terminal via a network,the communication terminal comprising: a receiving part configured toreceive stroke data transmitted from the other communication terminal;an obtaining part configured to obtain name information that isassociated with a transmission source of the stroke data undermanagement by a management system on the network; and a display controlpart configured to perform control that displays an image based on thestroke data and an image based on the obtained name information inassociation with each other.
 2. The communication terminal according toclaim 1, further comprising: an operation input receiving partconfigured to receive an operation input, and a transmitting partconfigured to transmit stroke data based on the operation input to theother communication terminal, wherein the transmitting part is capableof transmitting the stroke data while the operation input is beingreceived by the operation input receiving part.
 3. The communicationterminal according to claim 1, further comprising: an operation inputreceiving part configured to receive an operation input, a transmittingpart configured to transmit stroke data based on the operation input tothe other communication terminal, wherein the transmitting parttransmits the stroke data upon completion of reception of the operationinput by the operation input receiving part.
 4. A management systemcomprising: a managing part configured to manage, for respectivetransmission sources of stroke data, name information in associationwith the respective transmission sources; an extracting part configuredto extract, upon stroke data being transmitted from anothercommunication terminal to the communication terminal according to claim1, name information that is associated with a transmission source of thestroke data under management by the managing part; and a transmittingpart configured to transmit the name information extracted by theextracting part to the communication terminal.
 5. The management systemaccording to claim 4, comprising: the managing part configured tomanage, for respective transmission sources of stroke data, first signinformation indicating signs in association with the respectivetransmission sources; and a determining part configured to determine,upon second sign information being transmitted together with the strokedata from the other communication terminal, whether the second signinformation transmitted from the other communication terminal matchesfirst sign information that is associated with the transmission sourceof the stroke data under management by the managing part, wherein thetransmitting part transmits, in response to a match between the firstsign information and the second sign information being determined by thedetermining part, the name information extracted by the extracting partto the communication terminal.
 6. The management system according toclaim 4, wherein the managing part is configured to manage, forrespective address information of transmission sources of stroke data,user information in association with the respective address information,the extracting part is configured to extract, upon address informationbeing transmitted together with the stroke data from the othercommunication terminal, user information that is associated with theaddress information under management by the managing part, and thetransmitting part is configured to transmit the user informationextracted by the extracting part to the communication terminal.
 7. Acommunication system comprising: the communication terminal according toclaim 1; and the management system.
 8. A display method performed for acommunication terminal for communicative connection to at least oneother communication terminal via a network, the display methodcomprising: receiving, at the communication terminal, stroke datatransmitted from the other communication terminal; obtaining, at thecommunication terminal, out of name information under management by amanagement system on the network, name information that is associatedwith a transmission source of the stroke data; and performing, at thecommunication terminal, control that displays an image based on thestroke data and an image based on the obtained name information inassociation with each other.
 9. The display method according to claim 8,wherein the management system includes a managing part configured tomanage, for respective transmission sources of stroke data, nameinformation in association with the respective transmission sources, thedisplay method comprising: extracting, at the management system, uponstroke data being transmitted from the other communication terminal tothe communication terminal, the name information that is associated withthe transmission source of the stroke data under management by themanaging part; and transmitting, at the management system, the extractedname information to the communication terminal.